Pampore, October 30: Kashmir’s world-famous saffron, known for its vibrant purple flowers and rich fragrance, has witnessed a sharp decline in yield this season, leaving growers across the Pampore region deeply worried.
Farmers say prolonged dry weather conditions have severely affected saffron cultivation, resulting in a much lower output compared to previous years. Despite timely sowing and extensive efforts, the harvest has remained below expectations.
Growers from Pampore and adjoining areas told Morning Kashmir that continuous dry spells over recent years have taken a toll on saffron production, pushing many cultivators into financial distress.
Concerned over the losses, farmers have appealed to the government and local administration for immediate support and relief measures, including the waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans.
They have also urged authorities to improve irrigation facilities and implement long-term strategies to protect and sustain the saffron sector — a symbol of Kashmir’s cultural heritage and agricultural identity.
Speaking to Morning Kashmir, Progressive farmer Khursheed Ahmad Bhat said that this year, farmers, growers, traders, and all those connected with the Saffron Mission were 100 percent hopeful that saffron production would be better compared to last year, as the rainfall during the past two to three months had brought sufficient moisture to the saffron fields and corms.
However, unfortunately, production this year has failed by around 90 percent, with only about 10 percent of the crop available. According to experts, growers, and traders, the main reason for this decline is that during last year’s harvesting period, there was no rainfall. Due to the dry conditions at that crucial time, the saffron corms became thinner instead of thicker, which directly affected the production this year.
This, they say, is a geographical reason — the lack of rainfall during the harvesting season had a lasting impact on the crop. Otherwise, there was adequate rainfall in August and September this year. Unfortunately, production remains very low, similar to the poor yields seen over the past ten years — and this year’s output has been even lower than in previous years.
The main reason, he said, is that despite repeated appeals to the government, the necessary facilities have not been provided to the farmers. There should be proper irrigation facilities at multiple locations.
If we look at Iran, for example, the government there provides full support to the growers. This year, Iran has produced around 450 to 500 lakh kilograms of saffron, and the only reason behind such high production is the continuous support and facilities provided by their government to boost cultivation.
Unfortunately, the situation here is completely different. Despite numerous requests from farmers and stakeholders, all the related files are still lying on the government’s tables — they haven’t even been opened yet.
Our message is clear if we want to save this year’s production, protect this heritage, and preserve the saffron industry — which holds great national significance as the saffron colour is also part of our Tiranga — then the government must extend 100 percent cooperation and provide all necessary facilities to boost production.
Another major concern is the illegal transportation of saffron corms out of Kashmir, which must be stopped immediately, as it is one of the biggest causes behind the decline in local production.
Khursheed Ahmad Butt further told Morning Kashmir that he appeals to the Government of India and the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on behalf of all saffron growers. He said that the livelihood of these farmers depends entirely on saffron production.
For the past 10 to 15 years, saffron production has not been satisfactory. Earlier, farmers used to meet their family expenses, including their children’s education and marriage costs, from saffron earnings. But unfortunately, due to poor production in recent years, their financial condition has worsened.
He added that many farmers had taken KCC (Kisan Credit Card) loans, and the interest on these loans has become an additional burden. Therefore, on behalf of all saffron growers, he appealed to the government to waive off the KCC loan interest, as farmers are already suffering and have no means to repay it this year due to the almost complete crop failure.
